John 14:6

Followeth Christs answer to this objection, wherein he cleareth these grounds of consolation propounded, ver. 4. And first, (in this verse) as to the way to that place, he forbears to speak of the way of difficulties he and they were to go through, and clears only the way whereby they might come to heaven through these difficulties; to wit, by himselfe, who as he made a way to himselfe by his own proper power and authority; so he is the way to all others, by whom alone men can come to the Father, as is inferred in the end of the verse, Unto this is subjoyned, by way of amplification, that he is the truth, and the life; which as it holds true in many respects; That he is truth in his doctrine, the truth of all the types, and the quickner and preserver of spiritual life in his people; So it here points out, partly, the properties of this way, that he is that true and living way; and partly, the order of walking in, and making use of that way, that, first, we must close with him by faith, as truth, and doing so, shall finde him to be life in our walking, which is to be perfected, as our prize, at the end of the journey. Whence learn, 1. Christ is very tender of the acknowledged ignorance of his own, and will take pains to help it; for, here he instructeth Thomas, who confessed his ignorance. 2. However Saints may look upon their infirmities, ignorance, and doubts, as very burdensome and uselesse; Yet Christ can bring much good out of them, to clear and confirme themselves and others the more; for, Christ makes use of Thomas doubt to clear up this argument of consolation more fully, for the good of beleevers in all ages. 3. Such as rightly know heaven, and the way and means to wrastle through unto it, may easily digest difficulties in the way; for this cause it is that Christ insists no more on the rough path of trouble which leads toward heaven, because the knowledge of heaven, and of the Father there, and of Christ as the way thither, is enough to swallow it up, and therefore he insists only on that. 4. Man by nature is subject to many necessities and spiritual miseries, as being subject to go astray from the womb, and wanting a path wherein to walk toward happiness; being subject to errour and seduction, and wanting light to discerne the way of his happiness, and to guide him in it; and, being dead in sin legally and spiritually, unable to walk in the way, though it were pointed out, and needing no lesse then eternal life to prevent his eternal misery; for, all these necessities are supposed in this, that he must be the way, the truth, and the life. 5. Christ is an al sufficient remedy for all our wants; He is the way for wanderers, and the path wherein exiles may return toward lost happiness; He is the truth, to lead them surely, and to point out their path unto them: And he is the quickner of his people; for, I am the way, the truth, and the life, saith he. 6. Christ is the way to heaven and to the Father, not only, as it is through him we must ascend up to the knowledge of the Father, or as he points out the way to happinesse, as a Prophet; But as having, by his merit and satisfaction as Priest, made a patent doore, whereby sinners may enter and approach to God; and being their effectual leader in that way, as King; In these respects he is called the way. See Heb. 10.19, 20. So that through him sinners may come forward. 7. Christ also is the truth, not only essentially in himselfe, and he from whom all truth is; But more especially, he is the truth as a way to his people, and a true way; Partly, in opposition to types and legal ceremonies, which were but shadows of this true way, Joh. 1.17. Col. 2.17. Partly, in opposition to all delusions, and vanities of the world, whereby men think to attain happiness; all which as they draw from Christ the true way, so they will prove a lye, and not the truth; Partly, in respect of the promises, whereby we are encouraged in our way; All which in him are Yea and Amen, 2 Cor. 1.20. And partly, in respect of his directing us in the way; He is not only a way wherein to walk, but a way that will direct the passengers in walking; by the infallible directions of his Word, by the inward direction and illumination of his Spirit accompanying the same; and, by his gracious providence, hedging them in from many debordings. In all these considerations, it is Christs prerogative, that he is the way and the truth. So that Saints may trust his guiding, and lean on their beloved. 8. It is Christs prerogative above all other wayes, that not only he is the truth, but the life also; For other wayes cannot furnish passengers, but they may faint and die in them; nor can they lead to a blessed rest: But He is a way who quickneth the dead, when they are brought to it; who furnisheth the passengers that walk in him, so that they will walk and not be weary, and, who is the author of eternal life, who living by himselfe, and having merited life by his death, doth conferre eternal life upon walkers, at the end of their journey: Therefore is it subjoyned, I am the life. See Chap. 17. 2. 9. The right method of making use of Christ as a way, is first to close with him as truth and in his Word of truth, and to walk on beleeving, upon which life will follow, both for present and everlastingly; for, this way is, first, the truth, and then, the life. 10. It is mans chiefe misery to be separate from God, and his happinesse, to have accesse to him, and enjoy him; for, that is the advantage to be had in this way, even to come to the Father. 11. Christ is so the way to God, as there is no other beside, unto which a man can lean, but it will deceive him; No saving knowledge of God can be had but by him, our reconciliation, vocation, accesse to God in prayer, and glorification, must be through him and by him; for, No man cometh to the Father but by me. 12. Albeit there be no way unto God beside Christ; yea, albeit all things beside would discourage poor sinners: yet such as have fled to Christ, may draw near with boldnesse; for, albeit no man cometh to the Father but by me, and all doores beside be shut, yet saith he, I am the way, the truth, and the life.